I love Christmas and always have. I have successfully turned my oldest into a Christmas enthusiast as well, which only makes it even more fun for me. I was always raised with the experience of Christmas magic, even when I was so poor that my family received the food drive donations from my school. However, all these years I could not really pinpoint exactly what was so magical about Christmas.

Presents are fun, but as you get older, of course, these are few and far between and become a lot of work to acquire and wrap. Parties and get togethers can be joyful, but also a lot of work, especially if you are trying to haul your kids to them and hope the fact that they’re sugared up and haven’t been to bed on time in who-knows-how-long doesn’t make them the living argument for birth control. All those things can be fun and provide momentary joy.

I realized though, that the real gift of Christmas (or the holiday season, however you celebrate), is the forced stillness that comes with it. Eventually all the presents are purchased and wrapped. Most of civilization is closed. The parties are done and the food eaten, and you are left with the people around you and nothing to do. This is the magic of Christmas–a moment to just be, with the person/people that mean something to you, with no need to achieve or accomplish or work. This stillness gives the opportunity to reconnect to our hearts, our gratitude and our families and memories, and experience the awe and wonder and warmth that is our lives in the here and now. The Silent Night is a waking meditation.

I hope you all find peace in the stillness of the season and enter the next year rejuvenated.

actual phrases spoken to me (or my husband) by my children

Twinkle twinkle little Ellie. I'm a diamond!
Is a tampon like a coupon?
How floppy is your tummy?
I can't wait for my nipples to get bigger and bigger.
The secret ingredient is penis.
You're a cream of wheat.
I'm gonna break my heart for a minute and then give you some.
If I go to jail I'll be sad and cry all day long.
I'm a wild animal.
Red lights are making me craziness.
You guys are the baddest parents ever. (Note: She does not mean Michael Jackson "Bad.")
I'm a filthy monkey.
Make sure you downloaded a rainbow of unicorns.
I want to be an Elf so I can live with Santa.
I like boobs. They're interesting.
I'm playing a game that's too scary for you: it's called dead orphan.
Just look at all the rainbow colors if you want to be happy.
Everyone thinks I'm a teenager since I'm in my booster seat.
Mama, your body is warm and cozy.
[Referring to her ham] Is this real life?
Do you know why my hand is in my butt?
Can I pick something from her [sister's] nose?
Can I fart on my sister?
[On breastfeeding] Your boobs are chubby!
My brain is always on the naughty list.
Mama, you're a genius!
[In response to "what do you want to eat?"] I want to eat something beautiful that I like.
Alex Trevec is so handsome.
That pizza is wild!
America is a jambalaya.
Isn't pooping fun?
[About fireworks] They're magic! They're humongous!
I want to be a grown up. [Why?] So I can get married. [Who do you want to marry?] Myself.
Where's my whiskey?
I am really good at [computer] buttons. And also driving.
Daddy your peanut is yucky! (note: not referring to an actual peanut)
We are girls. ha ha!
It smells like poison!
You are beautiful
If I drink my juice slower, I will have an alien in my tummy.
I just fidget all day long.
Don't recipe me.
You are hurting my life.
Don't touch me. It's my life.
I am not your puppet.
The sky is falling.
I need my chapstick so I can drive better.
Close my window so the monkeys don't get me.
You're my best friend.
I want a baby sister.
I have a baby in my belly.
The monster is eating a taco.
I am freaking out.
[With diaper on head] "Cock-a-Doodle-Doo"
My poop is stuck in my butt.